Commentary: Diesel Deserves A Second Chance

The fuel gauge in a diesel-powered Mercedes (DCX ) E320 resembles a digital thermometer. When the tank is full, a black bar rises to the top of the strip. Right now, my fuel gauge is at the bottom, as though it were five degrees outside. That's appropriate, because as I pull out of the third filling station that sells only gasoline, the gauge seems to be telling me the search for diesel has grown cold. When I finally find some, there are lines for the two pumps, one of which fits only tractor trailers.

This is one big reason the E320 diesel may be the coolest car you'll never drive. What a shame. This is a great ride. It doesn't have the soot-laden exhaust and loud clattering that turned millions of Americans off diesel-powered cars in the 1980s. Its acceleration and torque beat a gasoline-fueled E320, with fuel economy of 32 miles per gallon instead of 22. I drove for six days and about 500 miles before needing more fuel -- which was 10 cents a gallon cheaper than regular gasoline.